Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) looks on during the third inning in game two of the American League divisional series. / Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

by George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

by George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

Avila, who turned 27 on Wednesday, avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a one-year contract with an option for 2015 with the Detroit Tigers.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Avila got $4.15 million with an option for $5.4 million in 2015 and a $200,000 buyout.

According to mlbtraderumors.com, Avila filed at $5.35 million, while the Tigers countered at $3.75 million.

"You prefer to get contracts negotiated if you can yourselves, rather than have the third party settle them, so that's always been our philosophy," Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said of once again avoiding going to an arbitration hearing.

"Fortunately, it's worked out for us. I think a lot of that has to do with John Westhoff and his staffâ?¦them being so well prepared."

Dombrowski never has had a case go to arbitration in his decade-plus tenure as GM.

The Tigers confirmed there's a a club vesting option for 2015, that vests with some specific awards.

"It was a way we kind of came up to try and settle some of the differences in where we were, with where our number was and where their number was," Dombrowski said.

Avila had concussion and wrist injuries last season. He hit .177 with six home runs and 21 RBIs over the first half of the season and .303 with five home runs and 26 RBIs over the second half. Overall, he hit .227 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs in 102 games in 2013.

He hit a combined 20 home runs and 95 RBIs in 218 games over the last two seasons. In 2011, his best season, he hit 19 home runs, 82 RBIs and hit .295 over 141 games.

The equipment changes Avila made seemed to help him over the second half of the season.

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